Coupling of radio hardware with a mobile device acting as a software defined radio

ABSTRACT

The systems and methods of the present invention allow a radio device to connect to a mobile device via a protective case, the protective case housing the radio device and mobile device. When interconnected with the radio device, the mobile device may communicate via radio connection as well as cellular network connections and other wireless connections inherent to the mobile device. Described herein is a system and method to create a coupled mobile device and radio, with a Software Defined Radio capability operating on the mobile communication device to control the radio functionalities embedded within the radio device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/951,953 filed Mar. 12, 2014 to Kevin A. Ames, etal., entitled “Coupling of Radio Hardware with a Mobile Device Acting asa Software Defined Radio,” the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to systems and methods for a hardwareradio device capable of attachment to a mobile device such as a cellulartelephone where the mobile device acts as a Software Defined Radio (SDR)for the hardware radio device. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to an SDR operable on a mobile device communicating with a radiodevice that is incorporated into a docking case for the mobile devicethat provides the radio frequency (RF) hardware required for an SDR tooperate in the high frequency (HF), very high frequency (VHF), andultra-high frequency (UHF) two-way radio bands.

Cellular telephones have become common place in today's society.Commonly these devices have become “smartphone” devices capable ofinstalling numerous custom software applications that enable users toexperience a greater set of functionalities than a traditional telephonedevice. While the smartphones provide a wide range of uses and softwareapplications for users, they are still limited to communicating usingonly the cellular telephone and cellular data networks or in certaincircumstances, Wi-Fi networks.

The cellular networks are limited in several specific areas, commonlytermed here as (a) grid inadequacy, (b) grid failure, and (c) gridcongestion. Grid inadequacy occurs in areas where coverage is muted orabsent completely. Large swaths of rural America lack dependable gridcoverage, and recreational areas such as ski areas and hiking trailslack adequate, if any coverage. At the same time, dense urbanenvironments have pockets of inadequate coverage, or “dead zones.”Outdoor festivals may also have inadequate connectivity, or may sufferfrom congestion mentioned below.

Grid failure can be caused by natural or manmade disaster. HurricaneSandy is a recent example of parts of the grid failing. Terroristattacks have resulted in man-caused grid failure in the case of 9/11. Inthese times, consumers will most want to be able to communicate withloved ones and the broader community.

Finally, grid congestion occurs when too many cellular phones operatingon the same frequency are trying to operate in close proximity. Whilethis doesn't affect connectivity over a handful or even multiplehandfuls of units, in a densely populated area such as a concert,sporting event, or festival, connectivity can be problematic fromexponential performance degradation. At large sporting events, concerts,or festivals, the traditional grid reaches congestion due to thephysical limitation of today's network architecture. During these timesvoice calls cannot go through and data connectivity is, lost.

Unfortunately, the limitations of the cellular network do not eliminatethe need for a cellular telephone user to communicate. In somecircumstances, the need may be even greater when the cellular network iscompromised. In these situations handheld radios are commonly used tocommunicate. Handheld radios allow communication without relying on thecellular network and are able to communicate directly with each other.Unfortunately these devices commonly require specific expert knowledgeand training to use and control, and are specifically an additionaldevice separate for the ubiquitous cellular telephone.

What is needed is the ability to seamlessly couple a cellular telephonewith a radio device which doesn't rely on the cellular network tocommunicate, or at the very least can utilize alternate communicationmethods as an intermediate step in connecting with an uncompromisedcellular network. Further, this coupled radio device should utilize thecapabilities of the cellular telephone to handle the complexity of thecommunications via a Software Defined Radio, and provide a combined unitthat doesn't require individuals to carry multiple devices.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In general, various embodiments of the present invention combine, in ahardware device coupled to a cellular telephone, the opportunity toextend the capabilities of a cellular telephone to operate in the HF,VHF, and UHF two-way radio bands. As a result, when the cellulartelephone is coupled with the hardware device (e.g., a protective case),a user of the coupled device may communicate with other users of thesame device over a radio network separate and apart from a cellularnetwork when coverage is inadequate, a cellular network grid fails, or acellular network grid is congested.

The present invention utilizes a mobile device or cellular telephone,the mobile device or telephone often also referred to herein as asmartphone. It should be understood that the term mobile device shouldnot be limited to smartphones. Smartphones have the ability to functionas a computer, and further have the ability to communicate over acellular or Wi-Fi network via a network interface device. In the presentinvention, a smartphone is releasably secured in a protective case whichmay be sized and shaped to fit a specific cell phone make and model.

The case includes a radio communication device capable of transmitting,receiving, and processing radio communications. The radio communicationdevice may further include an antenna to facilitate the transmittal andreception of radio communications. In embodiments in which the case isnot integral with the radio communication device, the radio device ispreferably included in hardware that interfaces with the smartphone. Thecase may also include a rechargeable battery to provide an additionalpower source to the mobile device, radio communication device or bothdevices.

The mobile device and radio communication device may be communicativelycoupled by either a wired or wireless connection. In the case of a wiredconnection, a wire from the radio communication device may be insertedthrough an aperture of the protective case such that the wire mayconnect to a data port of the mobile device. Alternatively, the radiocommunication device may include a port which connects directly with thedata port of the mobile device. In the case of a wireless connection,the connection may be made using technology such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fitechnologies.

SDR technology allows software components already associated with andincorporated in a smartphone to control radio frequency capabilities ofthe radio communication device. The SDR technology may be installed to asmartphone via an application for the smartphone. Specifically, when asmartphone is enabled with SDR, a user with a smartphone may use thesmartphone's interface to transmit and receive radio signals from anassociated radio device by operatively controlling the controller of theradio device including the radio's controller, receiver, andtransmitter. The means by which the smartphone and its SDR programcommunicate with the radio communication device may again be wired(e.g., via USB connection, micro-USB connection, etc.) or wireless(e.g., Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi technologies, etc.).

The SDR technology allows a mobile device or smartphone to receive aradio signal from an associated device and process that signal such thatit can broadcast the radio signals and communications via the phone'sspeakers. Moreover, a microphone associated with the smartphone canserve as a means for broadcasting radio signal information to the radiocommunication device via the SDR. Such communications may be directed bya keyboard (including a touch screen keyboard) that is built in to thesmartphone.

A user with the present invention may utilize his or her smartphone tocommunicate using existing radio frequencies. This provides the userwith a number of applications for the coupled device. For example, auser may communicate with another user using the coupled device, or auser may use her coupled device to receive information broadcast over aradio network including weather or emergency information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system upon which the presentinvention's subject matter can execute.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a radio communication device upon which thepresent invention's subject matter can execute.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one particular method forperforming interactions between a software application of a computersystem such as that of FIG. 1 and a radio communication device such asthat of FIG. 2 according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a communication device forincorporating a radio device with a mobile device according to theteachings of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is flow chart of a process by which a user would make a call ortransmit data using the communication device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a process by which a user may identify awhitespace channel using the communication device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a representative embodiment of theelectronic functional components necessary to interact with a softwaredefined radio system.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a Tier 1 softwaredefined radio system.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a Tier 2 softwaredefined radio system.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a Tier 3 softwaredefined radio system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of example embodiments, referenceis made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and inwhich is shown by way of illustration specific example embodiments inwhich the inventive subject matter may be practiced. These embodimentsare described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the inventive subject matter, and it is to be understood thatother embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical,electrical and other changes may be made without departing from thescope of the inventive subject matter.

Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are presented interms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on databits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions andrepresentations are the ways used by those skilled in the dataprocessing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their workto others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally,conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desiredresult. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physicalquantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take theform of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It hasproven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, torefer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters,terms, numbers, or the like. It should be borne in mind, however, thatall of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriatephysical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to thesequantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from thefollowing discussions, terms such as “processing” or “computing” or“calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to theaction and processes of a computer system, or similar computing device,that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (e.g.,electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers andmemories into other data similarly represented as physical quantitieswithin the computer system memories or registers or other suchinformation storage, transmission or display devices.

In the Figures, the same reference number is used throughout to refer toan identical component that appears in multiple Figures. Signals andconnections may be referred to by the same reference number or label,and the actual meaning will be clear from its use in the context of thedescription. Also, please note that the first digit(s) of the referencenumber for a given item or part of the example embodiments shouldcorrespond to the Figure number in which the item or part is firstidentified.

The description of the various embodiments is to be construed asexemplary only and does not describe every possible instance of theinventive subject matter. Numerous alternatives can be implemented,using combinations of current or future technologies, which would stillfall within the scope of the claims. The following detailed descriptionis, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of theinventive subject matter is defined only by the appended claims.

For illustrative purposes, various embodiments may be discussed belowwith reference to a piece of hardware that is designed to attach to amobile device which is to be utilized as an SDR. The most common examplediscussed in detail is a cellular telephone docking case that providesthe RF hardware required for an SDR application on the cellulartelephone to operate in the HF, VHF, and UHF two-way radio bands. Thisis only one example of a suitable environment and is not intended tosuggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of theinventive subject matter. Neither should it be interpreted as having anydependency or requirement relating to any one nor a combination ofcomponents illustrated in the example operating environments describedherein.

In the specifics of discussing an RF hardware device coupled with amobile device, several definitions will be used in the specification.First, a “mobile device” is any portable device normally utilized forcommunication, specifically not including any device with existingcapabilities within the HF, VHF, and UHF two-way radio bands. Suchdevices may include cellular telephones or any other device operableover the cellular telephone network, tablet computers, laptop computers,music players, and any other devices which make use of the internet(either wired or wireless, such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, etc.), or othersimilar devices normally utilized for communication and containing atleast a microphone and speaker or equivalent, e.g. via a plug-in orconnectable via wireless technologies (e.g. Bluetooth®), and alsocapable of executing software. In addition, a “smartphone” is a mobiledevice which allows the user to modify the functionality to personalizethe set of software applications which can be executed on the mobiledevice. Such applications may include a World Wide Web (WWW or web)browser, camera and video recording capabilities, tracking and loggingsoftware (e.g. vehicle mileage tracking) and global positioning softwarefor route-finding, as well as multimedia applications for watchingmovies or listening to music. Further, the applications may includevendor-specific content, such as Yelp restaurant reviews or CBStelevision programming. Practically any type of software application maybe created for use on a smartphone.

“Software Defined Radio” or “SDR” is any process relating to usingsoftware components in one functional system to control radio frequency(RF) capabilities. Specifically, the SDR must include or have thecapacity to perform some or all of the following capabilities, ascategorized as “Tiers.”

Tier 1 describes a software controlled radio where limited functions arecontrollable. These functions may be power levels, interconnections,etc., but not mode or frequency.

A significant proportion of the radio is software configurable in a Tier2 SDR. Often the term software-controlled radio (SCR) may be used. Thereis software control of parameters including frequency, modulation andwaveform generation/detection, wide/narrow band operation, security,etc. The RF front end (the components in the receiver that process thesignal at the original incoming RF) still remains hardware based andnon-reconfigurable.

Tier 3 is an ideal software radio (ISR) where the boundary betweenconfigurable and non-configurable elements exists very close to theantenna and the front end is configurable. It could be said to have fullprogrammability.

Tier 4 is the ultimate software radio (USR) stage and is a stage furtheron from the ISR. Not only does this form of software defined radio havefull programmability, but it is also able to support a broad range offunctions and frequencies at the same time.

The embodiments described herein further include a design for a dockingcase for a cellular telephone where the docking case includes theelectronics necessary for providing RF functionality andinteroperability with the mobile device. Further, the interoperabilitywith the mobile device may occur through existing wireless protocols,e.g. Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi technologies, or may occur via direct wiredconnections, e.g. through the mobile device's data port. In thepreferred embodiment, the mobile device is utilized for the microphoneand speaker capability both when operating on the cellular network aswell as when operating as a two-way radio. Further, the mobile device isutilized, via a software application installed upon the cellulartelephone, to control the radio capabilities of the radio communicationdevice and act as an SDR.

Importantly, the cellular network utilized by the cellular telephoneprovides multiple communication techniques, including voice and auditorydata, text messaging, and full data (e.g. internet) capabilities. Thepresent disclosure expects each of these capabilities to functionequally over the two-way radio capabilities as well as the cellularnetwork as determined by the user or their SDR configuration. Thus, thepeer-to-peer nature of the two-way radio capabilities could be used tocommunicate via voice, via text messaging, or even via broadband digitaldata.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a computer system100 upon which embodiment's inventive subject matter may execute. Thedescription of FIG. 1 is intended to provide a brief, generaldescription of suitable computer hardware and a suitable computingenvironment in conjunction with which the embodiments may beimplemented. In some embodiments, the embodiments are described in thegeneral context of computer-executable instructions, such as programmodules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modulesinclude routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc.,that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes.

The system as disclosed herein can be spread across many physical hosts.Therefore, many systems and sub-systems of FIG. 1 can be involved inimplementing the inventive subject matter disclosed herein.

Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodimentsmay be practiced with other computer system configurations, includinghand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, and the like. The embodiments may also be practiced indistributed computer environments where tasks are performed by I/Oremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a hardware and operating environmentis provided that is applicable to both servers and/or remote clients.

With reference to FIG. 1, an example embodiment extends to a machine inthe example form of a computer system 100 within which instructions forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein may be executed. In alternative example embodiments,the machine operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g.,networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine mayoperate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-clientnetwork environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environment. Further, while only a single machineis illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include anycollection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (ormultiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 100 may include a processor 102 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), orboth), a main memory 106 and a static memory 110, which communicate witheach other via a bus 116. The computer system 100 may further include avideo display unit 118 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or acathode ray tube (CRT)). In example embodiments, the computer system 100also includes one or more of an alpha-numeric input devices 120 (e.g., akeyboard), a user interface (UI) navigation device or cursor controldevice 122 (e.g., a mouse, a touch screen), a disk drive unit 124, asignal generation device (e.g., a speaker), and a network interfacedevice 112. The aforementioned components also communicate with eachother via the bus 116.

The disk drive unit 124 includes a machine-readable medium 126 on whichone or more sets of instructions 128 and data structures (e.g., softwareinstructions) embodying or used by any one or more of the methodologiesor functions described herein are stored. The instructions 128 may alsoreside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 108 orwithin the processor 104 during execution thereof by the computer system100, the main memory 106 and the processor 102 also constitutingmachine-readable media.

While the machine-readable medium 126 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” may include asingle medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributeddatabase, or associated caches and servers) that store the one or moreinstructions. The term “machine-readable storage medium” shall also betaken to include any tangible medium that is capable of storing,encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine and thatcause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies ofembodiments, or that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying datastructures used by or associated with such instructions. The term“machine-readable storage medium” shall accordingly be taken to include,but not be limited to, solid-state memories and optical and magneticmedia that can store infatuation in a non-transitory manner, i.e., mediathat are able to store information for a period of time, however briefSpecific examples of machine-readable media include non-volatile memory,including by way of example semiconductor memory devices (e.g., ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and flash memory devices);magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks;magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

The instructions 128 may further be transmitted or received over acommunications network 114 using a transmission medium via the networkinterface device 112 and utilizing any one of a number of well-knowntransfer protocols (e.g., FTP, HTTP). Examples of communication networksinclude a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), theInternet, mobile telephone networks, Plain old telephone service (POTS)networks, wireless data networks (e.g., WiFi and WiMax networks), aswell as any proprietary electronic communications systems that might beused. The term “transmission medium” shall be taken to include anyintangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carryinginstructions for execution by the machine, and includes digital oranalog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitatecommunication of such software.

The example computer system 100, in the preferred embodiment, includesoperation of the entire system on a remote server with interactionsoccurring from individual connections over the network 114 to handleuser input as an internet application.

FIG. 2 illustrates a mobile radio communication terminal device 200. Themobile radio communication terminal device 200 may include an antenna202, a receiver 204 coupled to the antenna 202, a radio controller 206coupled to the receiver 204, a processor 208, a volatile or non-volatilerandom access memory (RAM) 210, a non-volatile read only memory (ROM)212, and a transmitter 214, also coupled to the antenna 202.Furthermore, the mobile radio communication terminal device 200 in someembodiments may include a display, keys, a microphone, a loudspeaker andother conventional components of a mobile radio communication terminaldevice. In other embodiments these components are utilized from anexternally connected device associated with the mobile radiocommunication terminal device 200. In one embodiment, the antenna 202,the receiver 204, the radio controller 206, the processor 208, the RAM210, the ROM 212, and the transmitter 214 may be coupled with eachother, for example via a connection structure such as an interconnectionbus 216.

The receiver 204 receives radio signals, and the transmitter 214transmits radio signals. Furthermore, the receiver 204 may store thereceived radio signals in a memory such as in the RAM 210. The radiocontroller 206 controls the receiver 204 and the transmitter 214. In anembodiment of a Tier 2 SDR system, the radio controller 206 may control,but is not limited to controlling, the transmitter's 214 centerfrequency, modulation scheme, power level, and harmonic filters inaddition to controlling the receiver's 204 center frequency, front-endfiltering topology, demodulation scheme, and gain control. The radiocontroller 206 may be configured to control the receiver 204 and thetransmitter 214 such that at least one frequency band of a radio accesstechnology is available for communication. The radio controller 206 maybe then configured to pass the demodulated/non-modulated signals to/fromthe processor where further signal processing may be applied. Alternateembodiments may be adapted in all four tiers of software defined radio.For example, Tier 1 SDR may be implemented, where the control and signalprocessing is accomplished entirely in hardware via the receiver 204,transmitter 214, and radio controller 206. Likewise, a Tier 3 SDR may beimplemented, where the control and signal processing is accomplishedentirely by software in the processor 208. The radio controller 206 aswell as the processor 208 may be any type of hard-wired logic orprogrammable logic implementing the required functionality, e.g.implementing the procedures in accordance with the describedembodiments. A programmable logic may be a programmable processor suchas a microprocessor (e.g. a Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC)processor or a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) processor). Thecomputer program code for the radio controller 206 as well as theprocessor 208 may be stored in the ROM 212. In one embodiment, the radiocontroller 206 and the processor 208 may be monolithically integrated inone processor. In other words, one processor provides the functions ofthe radio controller 206 and of the processor 208. The processor 208 maybe provided for the conventional functions of a radio communicationterminal device.

The interconnection components 216 may be direct wiring or wirelessconnections utilizing standard capabilities shared with theinterconnected mobile device. In some embodiments a direct wiredinterconnection 216 may involve a standard plug common to bothcomponents, such as a USB connection, or may require a permanentconnection, e.g. soldering. In other embodiments where theinterconnection 216 is wireless, a standard near-field protocol such asBluetooth® or a longer field protocol such as Wi-Fi may be utilized forthe communication with an interconnected device. In yet other envisionedembodiments, both a wired and a wireless interconnection 216 may beutilized, for example a wired connection for sharing power betweeninterconnected devices and a wireless connection for sharing databetween interconnected devices.

The power supply 218 in some embodiments is a battery, such aslithium-ion, lithium polymer, alkaline, nickel cadmium, nickel metalhydride, or the like. In an alternative embodiment the battery may beabsent and rely upon an external power, either from an interconnecteddevice or from an alternate external power source. Some embodiments mayprovide a power supply 218 with sufficient capacity to power both themobile radio communication terminal device 200 as well as primary orsupplementary power for an interconnected device.

A complex mobile radio device 300, illustrated in FIG. 3, utilizes asoftware component 302 and a radio component 304 to allow for SDRcapabilities. In one embodiment the software 302 executes on a separatemobile device from the radio communication terminal device 200. Theseparate mobile device is a generic computing device, such as computersystem 100. In other alternative embodiments, the software 302 couldexist on a third system (e.g. neither the radio 200 nor the mobiledevice 300) or could exist within the radio 200 as a separate capabilitymanifesting within elements 208, 210, and/or 212.

The first step in utilizing SDR capabilities is to configure theinterconnections 306, 332 between the software 302 and radio device 304,represented by the dashed line indicating bidirectional communications.Configuring interconnections 306, 332 involves synchronizing thecommunication between the two systems 302, 304, negotiating acommunication handshake for administrative configuration activities, andother optional activities (e.g. Bluetooth® connection, password exchangeor other security protocols, etc.). The interconnection between thesoftware 306 and radio device 332 may be wired, for example by a USBconnection. Alternatively, the interconnection between the software 306and radio device 332 may be wireless, for example using Bluetooth® orWi-Fi technologies. Those skilled in the art will further envision otherways an interconnection may be formed.

In the present embodiment, the interconnection component 216 on theradio 304 provides the interconnection capabilities. Once theinterconnection is configured 306 within the software 302, the softwareuser begins configuring the radio device capabilities 308. Deviceconfiguration may comprise at least one of: configuring the receive mode310 of the radio (e.g. frequencies used, demodulation scheme used,scanning capabilities or single frequency use, etc.); configuring thetransmit mode 316 of the radio (e.g. frequencies used, modulation schemeused, whether transmitting is allowed, etc.); determining what types offiltering 312 are used for signal processing (both radio frequency andaudio frequency and other relevant signal enhancement), determining whattype of interference mode 314 is utilized (e.g. error correction methodfor spread spectrum techniques, identification of cooperating radios,etc.); determining signal detection 318 functionalities (similar tofiltering 312, but often incorporating more complex analyses);generating power adjustment 320 methods (e.g. adapting signal strengthrelevant to atmospheric conditions or proximity of the second radiocommunication device); determining appropriate battery mode 322 (e.g.specifying how the radio device power source 218 is used in conjunctionwith the power needs of the interconnected mobile device); determiningappropriate antenna mode 324 (e.g. antenna selection, pre-amplification,etc.); and any number of other 326 configurable or controllable aspectsof radio communications.

Once the radio device properties 308 are configured, those capabilitiesare communicated to the radio 328 and the radio 304 receives and enactsthe configurations 334, as indicated by the dashed unidirectional line,which manifest within various components 206, 208, 210, 212 (illustratedin FIG. 2) within the radio 304. Finally, the software 302 and the radio304 proceed to send and receive signals 330, 336 as defined by thevarious configurations 328, 334, and represented by the bidirectionaldashed line, using the radio to communicate with an external radiosource, using the appropriate radio components 202, 204, 214.

FIG. 4 is an exploded illustration of one embodiment of a communicationdevice 400 incorporating a radio device with a mobile device. Aprotective case 402 encloses components and is configured to receive andreleasably secure a mobile device 412. An antenna 404 is coupled to theprotective case 402, which in certain embodiments may be fixed in anextended form from the case 402, while in other embodiments may becollapsible to reside within the case 402 when not in use and extendedwhen in use. In other embodiments, the antenna 404 may be incorporatedentirely within the case 402. Radio electronics or device 406 existembedded within the case 402, and in some embodiments, a rechargeablebattery 408 may further be embedded within the case 402. The radioelectronics 406 embedded in the case 402 may include those illustratedin FIG. 2, for example a radio controller 206, receiver 204, transmitter214, etc.

The protective case 402 allows the radio electronics 406 tocommunicatively couple with the mobile device 412 as previously notedwhen describing FIG. 3, with some embodiments using a direct connection410 as an interface to connect the mobile device 412 and radioelectronics 406. The mobile device 412 and radio electronics 406 may beconnected in a wired or a wireless configuration. In the wiredconfiguration (illustrated in FIG. 4), the interface connector 410includes an opening through which a connection such as a USB cord or thelike may be threaded, the connection corresponding to a data port of themobile device 406. It should be noted that various makes and models ofmobile devices 412 will have varying data port configurations, and thecases 402 and connectors 410 of the present invention may be configuredand manufactured to accommodate those makes and models. When the mobiledevice 412 and connection 410 is wireless, the connection may be madeusing Bluetooth® technology, Wi-Fi, or other technology known in theart.

Thus, the complete protective case 402 is a single unit consisting ofmultiple assembled components which, in conjunction, allow for thephysical enveloping of a mobile device to make a single coupled device.It is envisioned that mobile devices 412 for use with the case 402 willhave unique dimensions, connection types, and connection locations, andas such each case 402 may have mobile device-specific configurations.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart 500 representing one possible embodiment forutilizing a radio device in conjunction with a cellular network-basedmobile communication device. FIG. 5 assumes that the mobile device andthe radio device have already been successfully paired and configured asshown via interconnections 306 and 332 (pairing) and elements 308, 328,and 334 (configuring). FIG. 5 begins with a mobile device user choosingto make a call or transmit data 502. Upon activation, the cellulardevice determines if it is able to access a cellular network 504. If thecellular network is available, then the mobile device connects to thecellular network 506 using means inherent in the mobile device that arewell known throughout the field. However, if there is no availablecellular connection 504, then the coupled mobile and radio devicedetermines if there is a radio connection available 508. Thisdetermination is made by sending a signal or recognizing if externalsignals have been recently sent to indicate other radio devices withinrange. If no radio devices are discovered within range, then the mobiledevice user is notified that no service is available to complete theirrequest 510. However, if other radio devices are available 508, then aconnection to one or more of the available radio devices is made 512 andthe user's communication is made using the radio connection 514 of thecoupled mobile and radio device.

Notably, while the actions are described with the cellular network asthe first choice for connection, it is envisioned that alternateembodiments may allow a preference for the radio communication to beattempted first, or the mobile device user may be prompted for apreference of which available connection type to use. Similarly, if amobile device is capable of both voice and data communication, onechannel (e.g. cellular network or radio) may be used for voice only andthe other for data only, with a corresponding level of preference,configuration, or user prompting to determine which channel to use forwhich communication type. Similarly, distinct radio frequencies could beused by the radio channel for each of voice and data communications.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of one possible embodiment for utilizing awhitespace database 600 to determine the proper frequency for radiocommunications. A whitespace database is defined, in this context, tocontain a list of available frequencies for a given geographical region.Available frequencies may be determined via regulatory means (e.g. theFCC) or via common consensus or any other identifiable manner. Thegeographical region may be a local area such as a building or cityblock, a larger area such as a city or county or mountain range orsimilarly sized area, or larger such as a state, or a country, or anycombination of the preceding. The whitespace database may exist withinthe software defined radio capabilities residing within the mobiledevice or may exist within the radio device independent from the mobiledevice.

Utilizing a whitespace database 600 begins with identifying the currentgeographic location 602. This may be accomplished using a GPS capabilitywithin the mobile device, within the radio, or a combination of both(e.g. for better accuracy), or alternatively using triangulationtechniques with known cellular towers or other radio transmitters (e.g.broadcast radio stations, television stations, aircraft beacons, etc.).Once the geographic location is known 602, this information is used toquery a whitespace database 604. A whitespace database contains at leastthe pairing of a geographic location and an available frequency, but mayadditionally contain multiple available frequencies or frequency ranges,and may in some embodiments also contain a preference indicator (e.g.high, medium, low) for a given frequency. The query of the whitespacedatabase 604 proceeds to determine if a whitespace channel is available606 for the current geographical location 602. If there is a frequencyidentified as available, then that whitespace channel is used 608 forcommunication. However, if no whitespace channel is identified asavailable then a default frequency channel is used 610, or the radiosystem may be disabled.

Optionally, in some embodiments, multiple whitespace frequencies may beidentified 612, allowing for a selection of an optimal channel 614 tooccur. The selection 614 may be automatic, e.g. using the first returnedoption or the middle-most frequency of all available frequencies.Alternatively, the frequency selection may be more intelligent, forexample by utilizing a quality metric obtained from the whitespacedatabase. Alternatively, multiple frequencies may be tested by the radioto determine the channel with the best communication properties.Similarly, the frequency selection may be made by the radio user fromamong multiple frequencies available and given any of (1) noinformation, (2) frequency preference information from the database, or(3) current condition tested communication quality metrics for each ofthe available frequencies. Finally, in some embodiments the whitespacedatabase may be updated 616 based upon identified user preferences ortested communication properties.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a representative embodiment 700 of theelectronic functional components necessary to interact with an SDR. SuchSDR component interactions were broadly discussed in the description ofFIG. 3. An SDR RF circuit 702 includes the circuitry necessary to enableTier 1, 2, or 3 SDR capabilities, as previously defined. The SDR RFcircuit 702 interconnects to an onboard controller circuit 704 via DCpower and analog signals as well as control signals, as indicated. Theonboard controller circuit 704 may interconnect with voltage and powercircuits 706, also via DC power and control signals as indicated.Finally, if a rechargeable battery 708 is further connected, it isinterconnected with the voltage and charge system 706. These componentsare connected via the onboard controller 704 to the mobile device 710,which manifests the software component of the SDR.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate example embodiments of Tier 1, 2, and 3 SDRs. FIG.8 is a functional descriptive circuit diagram of one possible embodimentof a dual band Tier 1 SDR 800. SDR component interactions are alsodiscussed above when describing FIG. 3. Component 802 represents thetransmit-receive switching and various frequency band selectioncapabilities of the antenna. Components 804 are representative of thevarious filtering, amplification, and control circuits for sending andreceiving radio signals. Components 806 show two transmitter andreceiver bands, A and B, of which additional bands may be used asdesired. Component 808 provides the software interface point for thevarious control and analog/digital conversions. This control point 808interfaces with the mobile device 810, manifesting the softwarecomponent of the SDR.

FIG. 9 is a functional descriptive circuit diagram of one possibleembodiment of a multi-band Tier 2 SDR 900. SDR component interactionsare also discussed above in describing FIG. 3. Component 902 representsthe transmit-receive switching and various frequency band selectioncapabilities of the antenna. Components 904 are representative of thevarious control circuits for sending and receiving radio signals.Components 904 represent the various mixer circuits necessary forbaseband frequency and quadrature signal conversion necessary for a Tier2 SDR. Component 908 provides the software interface point for thevarious control and analog/digital conversions. The control point 908interfaces with the mobile device 910, manifesting the softwarecomponent of the SDR.

FIG. 10 is a functional descriptive circuit diagram of one possibleembodiment of a multi-band tier 3 SDR 1000. SDR component interactionsare also discussed in describing FIG. 3 above. The software component ofthe SDR 1002 interacts with the front-end control and digital/analogconversion circuits 1004. The conversion and front-end control circuits1004 then send signals through additional amplification circuits 1006 tobe selectively sent and received via the multi-band antenna 1008.

A number of practical examples further illustrate the utility andfeatures of the present invention. In one example, a mobile device userbothered by poor cellular network coverage and poor battery life on hermobile downloads a software application for her smartphone to allowlearn more about the various features and options available with thepresent invention. The user purchases a case 402 configured for use withher cell phone brand and model, into which she inserts her cell phone.Following directions generated from the software application alreadyinstalled on her smartphone, the user may be required to perform n asimple Bluetooth® or other pairing (with or without wires) between hercell phone and the case 402. Once the cell phone and case 402 arepaired, the user may use the coupled device to complete both cellularcalls and data transactions as well as radio calls and datatransactions. Further, if the case includes an extra battery 408, theuser may have extended battery life for her smartphone.

In a second illustrative example, a user is in a geographic region withlittle or no connectivity to a cellular network, in this case awilderness hiking area. The user, wielding a mobile phone connected withcase 402, enters a region with no connectivity to a cellular network(referred to colloquially as a “cellular dead zone”). The user wants toinform a friend up the trail who is also wielding a mobile phone andcase 402 which way she is going to turn at a junction in the trail. FIG.5 illustrates the process that will transpire.

Unable to make a cellular connection 504, the device searches for aradio connection 508. The device reports that the user's friend isavailable for a radio connection. The device then connects 512 to theuser's friend's device. The user and her friend 514 then may communicateabout the turn the user is making at the trail junction via radiocommunication 514.

On the same hike, the user may receive information about weather via theradio functions of the device illustrated in FIG. 3 when the mobiledevice 302 is receiving a signal 330 from the radio device 304.

In another example, a severe storm knocks out the user's electricity aswell as the cellular network in her area, rendering the user unable tocontact the power company to let them know of the situation and beginrepairs. When the user attempts to call, the user's coupled device willrecognize that there is no service 504 and will search for a radioconnection 508. The device discovers that a neighbor's device is withinrange and it connects with the other neighbor's device 512. Bycommunicating via the radio connection 514, the user asks the neighbor(who has electricity) to contact the electricity company for the useronce they complete their radio conversation.

Another example illustrates the described invention's utility duringtimes of grid congestion. In this example, the congestion takes place ata highly populated outdoor concert. In such a scenario, there may not bemuch cellular coverage in the area even when not many people are around,but as soon as the event starts filling up, available service goes awayand it is nearly impossible to get a connection. In the example, a userand her friend both have their mobile phones connected with a case 402in the invention described herein. At one point during the concert, thetwo friends become separated. The user and her friend contact oneanother using the radio connection 512 and discuss how and when to getback together 514.

In the same scenario, the user and her friend notice more and morepeople using radios to communicate, and the user and her friend havedifficulty finding a way to communicate on a private channel Thus, theydecide that instead of using the default channel 610 they opt to use analternate radio channel 612 to communicate. They select an availablechannel 614 and have no further issues.

In a separate example, a user with case 402 for her smartphone nears theallotment of her current cellular provider's plan for the number ofvoice minutes she could use before getting charged for overage amounts.Wanting to chat with a friend, but not wanting to be charged extra for acall, the user connects via radio 512 to chat 514 with her friend.

In a similar scenario, the user has data she wishes to upload (e.g.,pictures to a social networking site) but does not want to pay extra forgoing over her plan's allotment. The user can set her smartphone toconnect to a friend's phone 512 for a data connection. The user can useher own phone to upload the data she wants via her friend's cellulardata connection 514.

In addition to private users, commercial users have a compelling needfor the present invention, which numerous examples illustrate. Numerousworkers in businesses including heavy construction, security, and retailuse two-way radios to communicate with other workers on a job site, andsmartphones to communicate with workers and vendors not on the job site.The present invention can combine these two devices into a singlestreamlined device, allowing workers to worry about only keeping onedevice available rather than two.

There are roughly 1.5 million first responders in the United Statesdefined as local police and firemen. In addition, there are untoldnumbers of workers for three letter governmental agencies andquasi-governmental agencies that are dependent on two-way radios forcritical communication. Commonly today each of these workers carriesboth their cellular telephone as well as the two-way radio necessary toperform their job duties. Once again, it is advantageous for thecommunication device to provide a single piece of equipment the workercan use to provide capabilities for both roles to reduce the number ofdevices each worker must carry.

The examples provided above are not intended to be an exhaustiveexplanation of each possible operation of the systems and methodsdescribed herein, and the various embodiments are not limited to anyexample described above.

Although an overview of the inventive subject matter has been describedwith reference to specific example embodiments, various modificationsand changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from thebroader spirit and scope of inventive subject matter. Such embodimentsof the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individuallyor collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience andwithout intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application toany single invention or inventive concept if more than one is, in fact,disclosed.

As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of theinventive subject matter are not limited by the particular details ofthe examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated thatother modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occurto those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that the claimsshall cover all such modifications and applications that do not departfrom the spirit and scope of the inventive subject matter. Therefore, itis manifestly intended that this inventive subject matter be limitedonly by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication device for use with a mobiledevice comprising: a radio communication device including a receiver andtransmitter for receiving and transmitting radio signals between thecommunication device and another communication device, the radiocommunication device further including a controller for operativelycontrolling the receiver and transmitter; a protective case comprising ahousing for receiving and securing the mobile device and radiocommunication device; an antenna attached to the protective case, saidantenna communicatively coupled with the receiver and transmitter; aconnection between the mobile device and radio communication device,wherein the mobile device provides radio configuration data forconfiguring the receiver and the transmitter of the radio communicationdevice, and a software defined radio circuitry coupled to the receiverand the transmitter of the radio communication device, the softwaredefined radio circuitry including hardware circuitry for configuring thereceiver and the transmitter of the radio communication device based onthe received radio configuration data from the mobile device, thehardware circuitry including at least a digital to analog converter andone or more amplification circuits.
 2. The communication device of claim1 wherein the connection between the mobile device and radiocommunication device is a wired connection via an interface port of theprotective case.
 3. The communication device of claim 1 wherein theconnection between the mobile device and radio communication device is awireless connection.
 4. The communication device of claim 1 wherein theantenna extends from the protective case.
 5. The communication device ofclaim 1 wherein the antenna is embedded in the protective case.
 6. Thecommunication device of claim 1 wherein the communication device furtherincludes a rechargeable battery.
 7. The communication device of claim 1wherein the protective case is sized and shaped to receive a pluralityof mobile device makes and models.
 8. The communication device of claim1 wherein the protective case houses the communication device.
 9. Thecommunication device of claim 1, wherein the software defined radiocircuitry configures at least one of a center frequency, a modulationscheme, a power level, and a filtering scheme.
 10. The communicationdevice of claim 1, wherein the mobile device further provides outbounddata to radio communication device via the connection, the outbound datato be sent by the radio communication device via the transmitter to theother communication device, and wherein the radio communication deviceprovides inbound data to the mobile device via the connection, theinbound data received by the radio communication device via the receiverfrom the other communication device.